Somewhere very far in back of new parenthood, a tiny curtain has gone up on a tiny stage and unveiled my book of stories on its tiny silver plate. All the peeled-away sentences and trashed drafts have been hastily swept into the wings. My reigning mood by far is surprised gratitude for everyone who’s taken an interest, from the publisher on down. Festival of thanks!

Texts and images copyright (C) 2013 Paul Kerschen. Layout adapted from the Single A Tumblr theme by businessbullpen. The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) has zygodactylic feet, leaving X-shaped tracks with ambiguous direction. The Pueblo and Hopi used the X symbol to mislead evil spirits. Border folklore in the early twentieth century held that a roadrunner would lead a lost traveler back to his path. In Mexico the roadrunner is known as paisano, countryman.